Bone conduction voice transmission apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

A voice sound transmitting unit having an earpiece that is adapted for insertion into the external auditory canal of a user, the earpiece having both a bone conduction sensor and an air conduction sensor. The bone conduction sensor is adapted to contact a portion of the external auditory canal to convert bone vibrations of voice sound information into electrical signals. The air conduction sensor resides within the auditory canal and converts air vibrations of the voice sound information into electrical signals. In its preferred form, a speech processor samples output from the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor to filter noise and select the a pure voice sound signal for transmission. The transmission of the voice sound signal may be through a wireless linkage and may also be equipped with a speaker and receiver to enable two-way communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to a voice sound transmitting andreceiving apparatus and system. More particularly, though notexclusively, the present invention relates to a voice sound transmittingunit using bone conduction and air conduction to obtain a pure voicesound signal for transmission minimizing interference from thesurrounding sound environment.

2. Problems In The Art

Voice sound transmitting and receiving devices are known in the art.However, such devices are limited by the quality of voice signal theyare capable of capturing and transmitting. For example, prior art airmicrophones tend to pick up ambient noise and transmit the same. This isparticularly problematic in communications applications that require apure, unadulterated voice signal. For communications systems to moreeffectively utilize voice sound as a means of transmitting information,the prior art voice sound transmitting and receiving devices must becapable of producing a much purer voice signal.

One specific communications application area that relies upon a clearvoice signal is voice recognition technology. Today, voice recognitionsoftware engines are gaining popularity. Such computer software enablesa user to, among other things, enter information into a digital recordor file directly through speech, obviating the need for a keyboard andother input device. Voice recognition offers numerous advantages whenemployed as a means of data entry in computer information systems. Asbut one example, many health care professionals presently dictatepatient information onto magnetic tapes that are later transcribed by athird party for entry into a medical records system. A system that couldutilize existing voice recognition technology to enter such informationinto digital records would save time and money. The same hold true forthe plethora of other applications that are not presently using voice asa means of data input and communication.

A problem that must be overcome to effectively implement an informationor communications system using voice sound is the relative poor qualityof voice signal obtained through prior art voice sound transmitting andreceiving devices. The efficacy of voice recognition software enginesdepends upon the quality of the voice signal received. Using prior artair microphones and bone conduction devices often results in data entryerrors. Although bone conduction sensors deliver a fairly pure signal,it is generally not the strongest for transmission. An air conductionsensor, on the other hand, will receive a much stronger signal, butalone is not suitable for distinguishing the spoken speech from themultitude of other sounds in the environment. Thus, there is a need inthe art for an improved voice sound transmitting unit that is capable ofcapturing and transmitting a purer and stronger voice signal.

There are also problems in the art concerning the comfort and aestheticappeal of voice sound transmitting and receiving devices. For example,prior art bone conduction pick up devices, such as those disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,295,193 and 4,150,262 to Ono are designed withearpieces that totally obstruct the external auditory canal. Not onlyare such devices uncomfortable for the user to wear, but they also blockair vibrations from entering the auditory canal. In the health careexample cited previously, such a device would preclude the user fromusing a stethoscope while wearing the device. Further, such devices areless aesthetically pleasing to the user. There is therefore also a needin the art for an improved voice sound transmitting unit that does notocclude the external auditory canal, is comfortable to wear for extendedperiods of time, and is aesthetically pleasing to the user.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A general feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved voice sound transmitting and receiving unit which overcomes theproblems found in the prior art.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of aimproved voice sound transmitting and receiving unit that captures andtransmits a pure voice signal from the user.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved voice sound transmitting and receiving unit that utilizes bothbone conduction and air conduction to transmit an unadulterated voicesignal from the user.

A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved voice sound transmitting and receiving unit that is capable foruse in wireless communications applications.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved voice sound transmitting and receiving unit that is comfortableto wear and does not occlude or obstruct the external auditory canal ofthe user.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a voicesound transmitting and receiving unit that permits hands-freecommunication over a wired or wireless communications linkage.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a voicesound transmitting and receiving unit that is aesthetically pleasing tothe user.

A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved device for entering voice sound information into a digitalrecord stored on a computer.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a devicefor entering voice sound information into a digital record stored on acomputer using a wireless linkage between the voice sound transmitterand the computer.

And a still further feature of the present invention is the provision ofan improved method for entering voice sound information into a digitalrecord stored on a computer.

These as well as other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following specifications and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The voice sound transmitting unit of the present invention includes anearpiece that is adapted for insertion into the external auditory canalof a user, the earpiece having both a bone conduction sensor and an airconduction sensor. The bone conduction sensor is adapted to contact aportion of the external auditory canal to convert bone vibrations ofvoice sound information into electrical signals. The air conductionsensor resides within the auditory canal and converts air vibrations ofthe voice sound information into electrical signals. The voice soundtransmitting unit also includes a speech processor and transmitter.

In its preferred form, the speech processor samples the output from thebone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor. In comparing thesampled output, the speech processor is able to filter noise and selectthe a pure voice sound signal for transmission. The transmission of thevoice sound signal may be through a wireless linkage. In addition, thebone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor are preferablydesigned so as not to occlude the external auditory canal. And the voicesound transmitting unit may also be equipped with a speaker and receiverto enable two-way communication.

The present invention also includes a device for entering voice soundinformation into a digital record stored on computer or computernetwork. The device includes a voice sound transmitting unit using boneconduction, an interface between the voice sound transmitting unit andthe computer or computer network, and a voice recognition softwareengine adapted to receive and process the voice sound information andconvert it into alphanumeric strings to populate the appropriate digitalrecord. The interface is preferably a wireless linkage, such as a radiofrequency transmission system.

Finally, the present invention also includes a method of entering voicesound information into a digital record or field stored on a computer orcomputer system. The method includes selecting the digital record orfield on the computer, transmitting voice sound information of the uservia a wireless linkage, processing the information using a voicerecognition software engine, and populating the digital record or fieldselected with the voice sound information.

It should be understood that the present invention has wide-rangingapplications, not specifically limited to the examples disclosed in thisspecification. By way of example only, the present invention may be usedin data entry, cellular telephone and live music applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voice sound transmitting unit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the voice sound transmitting unit ofFIG. 1 taken through the external auditory canal of the user.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the voice sound transmitting unit of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a communications system using the voice soundtransmitting unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the preferred method for using the voice soundtransmitting unit to enter data into a digital record or field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferredembodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited tothe described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover allmodifications and alternatives which may be included within the spiritand scope of the invention.

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the voice sound transmittingunit 10 of the present invention. The voice sound transmitting unit 10includes an earpiece 12 having a bone conduction sensor 14 and an airconduction sensor or microphone 16. A casing 18 is also provided, havingan ear attachment portion 20 and a fitting portion 22 that connects theear attachment portion 20 with the bone conduction sensor 14 and the airconduction sensor 16. The ear attachment portion 20 is contoured to fitover and behind the upper ear lobe 24 of the user and is preferably madeof a lightweight aluminum or plastic material. It can be appreciatedthat the primary purpose of the ear attachment portion 20 is to securethe voice sound transmitting unit 10 in proper position. The fittingportion 22 is integral with the ear attachment portion 20 and isreinforced with a flexible wire (not shown) so that the voice soundtransmitting unit 10 may be adapted to fit the user and maintain thebone conduction sensor 14 and the air conduction sensor 16 in theirproper positions within the external auditory canal 28 of the user.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the voice sound transmitting unit should be fitso that the bone conduction sensor 14 is in contact with a portion ofthe external auditory canal 28. It is preferred that the bone conductionsensor 14 rest against the posterior superior wall of the externalauditory canal 28, with the fitting portion 22 shaped to bias the boneconduction sensor 14 into position. Fitting the device and calibrationsmay be performed by the user or with the assistance of a physician or anaudiologist/audiology technician.

The bone conduction sensor 14 is of standard construction and may beobtained from various hearing aid manufactures, including ReSound,Oticon and others. Note that the bone conduction sensor 14 may be of theacceleration type and utilize a piezoelectric pick-up. Other pick-upsthat can be used with the present invention, include, but are notlimited to, those of the magnetic type, electret condenser type, ICtype, and semi-conductor type. All are well-known in the art.

The earpiece 12 is formed so that the bone conduction sensor 14 may beinserted into the external auditory canal 28 of the user and contactagainst the posterior superior wall 26 of the canal. The bone conductionsensor 14 is intended to pick up, as the voice signals, the vibrationsof the upper wall of the external auditory canal 28 at the time ofuttering the voice sounds. When the user utters voice sounds, thesesounds reach the mastoid bones. These sound vibrations in the externalauditory canal portion in contact with the bone sensor 14 are thenprocessed.

In addition to the bone conduction sensor 14, the earpiece 12 alsoincludes an air conduction sensor or microphone 16. Like the boneconduction sensor 14, the air conduction sensor 16 is of standardconstruction and may be obtained from various manufactures, such asReSound and Oticon with numerous air microphones which would suffice.

A resilient member (not shown) is preferably positioned between the airconduction sensor 14 and the bone conduction sensor 14 in such a mannerthat the external sound collected by the air conduction sensor 16 willnot be transmitted to the bone conduction sensor 16.

A circuit portion transmits the electrical signals from both the boneconduction sensor 14 and the air conduction sensor 16 to a speechprocessor 36. The bone conduction sensor 16 and the air conductionsensor 18 are both tuned to receive frequencies within the range ofaudible human speech, approximately 50 to 8000 Hertz.

The speech processor 36 is of a conventional construction used in manyhearing aids and employs a digital processing scheme to package thevoice signal for transmission across a wireless linkage. The speechprocessor 36 will be programmed to extract similarities from air andbone transmission, comparing the similarities in signal and thentransmitting via a wireless linkage to a computer or other receivingdevice. The speech processor 36 also filters out through band passfilters sounds outside the frequency of normal human speech.

The speech processor 36 samples a portion of the electrical signals ofvoice sound information from the bone conduction sensor 14 and a portionof the electrical signals of voice sound information from the airconduction sensor 16. The speech processor 36 then compares the samplesand selects the common voice signal. This common voice signal increasesthe likelihood that ambient and environmental interference will beminimized.

The speech processor 36 then transmits the selected voice signal to atransmitter 40. The transmitter 40 is preferably a wireless radiofrequency transmitter well known in the art that includes amulti-directional antenna 42 (see FIG. 1). Examples are ProximCorporation's RangeLan 2 or Breezecom radio transmission systems.

FIG. 3 shows in block diagram form the different components of the voicesound transmitting unit 10. It should be understood that the voice soundtransmitting unit 10 as shown and previously described can also beeasily modified to include a receiver 44 and speaker 46 to enabletwo-way communication.

It can be appreciated that the voice sound transmitting unit 10 of thepresent invention can be used in a multitude of different communicationsapplications with different linkages. Such applications include, but areby no means limited to, transmitting voice sound information inInternet, Intranet, hard-wired local area network (LAN), wireless LAN,and telecommunications applications. In short, the voice soundtransmitting unit 10 may be easily adapted for use in any computerizedcommunications system to transmit voice sound information.

Of particular interest is the use of the voice sound transmitting unit10 to enter voice sound information into a digital record stored on acomputer. FIG. 4 is a diagram, showing the voice sound transmitting unit10 as part of a larger wireless LAN 48 used for information systemsprocessing. A wireless LAN, well known in the art, is a flexible datacommunications system generally implemented as an extension to, or as analternative for, a wired LAN. Using radio frequency technology, wirelessLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need forwired connections. Thus, wireless LANs combine data connectivity withuser mobility. Wireless LANs, such as those available from Proxim, Corp.and Breezecom perform well in applications using the voice soundtransmitting unit 10.

A wireless LAN 48 is particularly well suited for use with a medicalrecords information system. Health care professionals may use wirelessworkstations to enter patient information that is transmitted to acentral server 50. Much of the patient information may be easily enteredusing a PEN based graphical user interface, wherein the user has astylus to enter hand written information and also click push buttons,radio buttons, list boxes, etc. However, health care professionals willoften want to dictate a portion of the patient information. With thesystems available in the prior art, the health care professional mustdictate onto a magnetic tape which is later transcribed by anotherindividual and entered into the medical records system. The voice soundtransmitting unit 10 of the present invention enables the user topopulate digital records or fields of a database in real time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates how a user of the voice soundtransmitting unit 10 of the present invention could enter data into adigital record. The user first selects on the wireless workstation 52the field or record that is to be populated with alphanumeric strings.Next, the user activates the voice mode which sends a signal activatingthe voice sound transmitting unit 10. The user then utters theinformation for entry into the record. The voice signal is transmittedvia the wireless linkage to a receiver 54 operatively connected to aworkstation on the LAN 48 that has loaded a voice recognition softwareengine. Voice recognition software engines currently available includethe Dragon Dictate from Dragon Systems and ViaVoice Profession providedby the IBM Corporation, respectively. The voice recognition softwareengine 56 receives and processes the voice signal, converting it intoalphanumeric strings. Finally, a computer program populates the selecteddigital record with the alphanumeric string. Once the selected recordhas been populated on the server 50, the corresponding record or fieldon the user's workstation 52 may be updated. The user can then make anynecessary corrections or defer any revisions until a later time. What iscritical to the system is that the voice sound transmitting unit 10deliver a high quality, pure voice signal for the voice recognitionsoftware engine to process.

It should be understood that the term "record" includes field, databaseor file.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present inventionaccomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A voice sound transmitting unit having theadvantage of obtaining a pure voice sound signal of a user, the unitcomprising:an earpiece adapted to be inserted into the external auditorycanal of a user and having a bone conduction sensor and an airconduction sensor, the bone conduction sensor being adapted to directlycontact a portion of the external auditory canal adjacent the mastoidbone to convert bone vibrations of voice sound information to electricalsignals and the air conduction sensor being adapted to convert airvibrations of the voice sound information in the external auditory canalto electrical signals; a speech processor operatively connected with theearpiece, the speech processor being adapted to receive the electricalsignals from the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensorand produce a voice sound signal; and a transmitter operativelyconnected with the speech processor and adapted to receive the voicesound signal for transmission.
 2. The voice sound transmitting unit ofclaim 1 wherein the speech processor obtains a first sample of theelectrical signals from the bone conduction sensor and a second sampleof the electrical signals from the air conduction sensor and comparesthe first and second samples to capture the voice sound information ofthe user and filter noise.
 3. The voice sound transmitting unit of claim1 wherein the earpiece is smaller in size than the interior of theexternal auditory canal whereby the earpiece does not block the canal.4. The voice sound transmitting unit of claim 1 wherein the transmitterincludes a multidirectional antenna.
 5. The voice sound transmittingunit of claim 1 further comprising a speaker and a receiver, the speakerbeing adapted to reside within the external auditory canal and isoperatively connected to the receiver.
 6. The voice sound transmittingunit of claim 1 further comprising a casing having an ear attachmentportion contoured to fit over the upper ear lobe of the user and afitting portion connecting the ear attachment portion with the boneconduction sensor and the air vibration sensor.
 7. The voice soundtransmitting unit of claim 6 wherein the casing is adapted to retain thebone conduction sensor in direct contact with a portion of the externalauditory canal adjacent the mastoid bone.
 8. A device for entering voicesound information into a digital record stored on a computer, the devicecomprising:a voice sound transmitting unit including an earpiece adaptedto be inserted into the external auditory canal of a user and having abone conduction sensor being adapted to directly contact a portion ofthe external auditory canal adjacent the mastoid bone to convert boneconductive voice vibrations of the voice sound information of the userinto electrical signals and an air conduction sensor being adapted toconvert air vibrations of the voice sound information into electricalsignals, a speech processor operatively connected with the earpiece toreceive the electrical signals from the bone conduction sensor and airconduction sensor to produce a voice sound signal, and a transmitteroperatively connected with the speech processor to receive the voicesound signal for transmission; a receiver operatively connected to thecomputer and adapted to receive the voice sound signal from thetransmitter of the voice sound transmitting unit; a voice recognitionsoftware engine stored on the computer and adapted to receive andprocess the voice sound signal to convert the voice sound signal intodigital data; and a computer program for populating the digital recordwith the digital data.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the speechprocessor obtains a first sample of the electrical signals from the boneconduction sensor and a second sample of the electrical signals from theair conduction sensor and compares the first and second samples tocapture the voice sound information of the user and filter noise. 10.The device of claim 8 wherein the voice sound transmitting unit furthercomprising a speaker and a receiver, the speaker operatively connectedto the transmitter and being adapted to reside within the externalauditory canal of the user.
 11. The device of claim 8 wherein thetransmitter is a radio frequency transmitter and the receiver is a radiofrequency receiver.
 12. The device of claim 8 wherein the earpiece issmaller in cross-sectional size than the interior of the externalauditory canal whereby the earpiece does not block the canal.
 13. Adevice for entering voice sound information into a digital record storedon a computer network, the device comprising:a voice sound transmittingunit having an earpiece adapted to be inserted into the externalauditory canal of a user and having a bone conduction sensor beingadapted to directly contact a Portion of the external auditory canaladjacent the mastoid bone to convert bone conductive voice vibrations ofthe voice sound information of the user to electrical signals and an airconduction sensor being adapted to convert air vibrations of the voicesound information to electrical signals; a wireless linkage operativelyconnecting the voice sound transmitting unit with the computer network;and a voice recognition software engine stored on the computer networkand adapted to receive and process the voice sound information topopulate the digital record with digital data.
 14. The device of claim13 wherein the wireless linkage includes a radio frequency transmitteroperatively connected to the earpiece and a radio frequency receiveroperatively connected to the computer network.
 15. The device of claim13 wherein the voice sound transmitting unit includes a speech processoroperatively connected with the earpiece, the speech processor beingadapted to receive the electrical signals from the bone conductionsensor and the air conduction sensor and produce a voice sound signal.16. The device of claim 15 wherein the speech processor obtains a firstsample of the electrical signals from the bone conduction sensor and asecond sample of the electrical signals from the air conduction sensorand compares the first and second samples to capture the voice soundinformation of the user and filter noise.
 17. The device of claim 13wherein the voice sound transmitting unit further comprising a speakerand a receiver, the speaker operatively connected to the receiver andbeing adapted to reside within the external auditory canal of the user.18. The device of claim 13 wherein the earpiece is smaller incross-sectional size than the interior of the external auditory canalwhereby the earpiece does not block the canal.
 19. A method of enteringvoice sound information into a digital record stored on a computer, themethod comprising:a voice sound transmitting unit having an earpieceadapted to be inserted into the external auditory canal of a user andhaving a bone conduction sensor being adapted to directly contact aportion of the external auditory canal adjacent the mastoid bone toconvert bone conductive voice vibrations of the voice sound informationof the user to electrical signals and an air conduction sensor beingadapted to convert air vibrations of the voice sound information toelectrical signals; providing a wireless linkage operatively connectingthe voice sound transmitting unit with the computer; providing a voicerecognition software engine operatively connected with the computer andadapted to receive and process the voice sound information to populatethe digital record with digital data; selecting the digital record onthe computer; uttering the voice sound information; transmitting thevoice sound information from the voice sound transmitter via thewireless linkage; processing the voice sound information using the voicerecognition software engine; and populating the digital record selectedwith digital data corresponding to the voice sound information.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein the earpiece of the voice sound transmittingunit is smaller in cross-sectional size than the interior of theexternal auditory canal whereby the earpieces does not block the canal.